Drilling hook assembly



Dec. l, 1953 s. w. LONG DRILLING HOOK ASSEMBLY s sheets-sheet i Filed May 2l, 1951 S w y 0m ,N n w W H C m y W lllllibm @wi Wil@ Dec. 1, 1953 s. w. LONG 2,661,232

DRILLING HOOK ASSEMBLY Filed May 21, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 *bi 14 5G 57 5505/4/65@ 0. 0A/G', 5 INVEN TOR.

Hf/6.a. 'fd/5% Dec. 1, 1953 s. w. LONG 2,661,232

DRILLING HOOK SSEIVIBJYI Filed May 2l, 1951 5 Sheets-511691'. 3

90E-HCE@ 0. 0A/G',

INVENTOR.

atented Dec. 1, 1953 DRILLING HOOK ASSEMBLY Spencer W. Long, Inglewood, Calif., assignor to The National Supply Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 21, 1951, Serial No. 227,426

9 Claims.

This invention relates to well drilling apparatus and is particularly directed to improvements in a drilling hook assembly. Devices of this type are used within the derrick for supporting the swivel and drill string while the rotary bit is on bottom and are also used for raising and lowering drill pipe or casing by means of the usual pipe elevators.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide a drilling hook construction which is particularly adapted for integral connection with a travelling block so that a minimum over-al1 length of hook and block may be achieved.

Another object is to provide a drilling hook construction having a nonrotary stem which reciprocates relative to a support and which carries a thrust bearing for rotatably supporting the load carrying member of the assembly.

Another object is to provide a device of this type in which a stiffening sleeve on the load carrying member encircles the nonrotary stem and projects upwardly into the spring housing.

Another object is to provide a novel form of rotation lock for locking the load-carrying member against rotation.

A further object is to provide a novel form of connection between the hook assembly and the travelling block.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a preferred embodiment of my invention in drilling position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale and shown partly in section.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation partly in section taken substantially on the line 3-3 as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a front elevation partly broken away showing the connection between the travelling block and hook assemblies.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation partly broken away and partly in section showing the rotation lock mechanism.

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation partly broken away showing the rotation lock parts in locking position.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the rotation lock parts in inoperative position.

Figure 8 is a sectional plan view taken substantially in the direction 8--8 as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 9-9 as shown in Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, the hook and block unit generally designated I0 comprises a drilling hook assembly I I and a travelling block assembly l2 connected by bolt elements I3. The load carrying member Id of the hook assembly I I is provided with a central hook I5 for supporting a swivel IS by means of its bail I'I and is provided with side lugs I3 for supporting the pipe elevator I9 by means of the usual links 20. The swivel I 6 is provided with the usual rotary stem 2 I which is connected to the upperend of the rotary drill string 22. The pipe elevator I9 is used for raising and lowering the drill string in the hole for the purpose of changing the bit and is also used for handling casing, as will be readily understood by those skilled in this art.

In accordance with my invention I provide a nonrotary base or housing 23 which is provided with a central opening 24 and which terminates in an annular ange 25. A pair of shoulders 26 and 2 on this ange 25 support outer and inner concentric coil springs 23 and 29 respectively. These springs are positioned within the central opening 23.

A nonrotary stem 3G extends into this opening 24 and is exteriorly threaded on its upper end to receive the nut 3 I, The nut is provided with a ange 32 having shoulders 33 and 34 which are engaged by the springs 29 and 28 respectively. From this description it will be understood that the springs 28 and 23 support the nonrotary stem 3l! with respect to the housing 23.

In Figure 3 the parts are shown in loaded position. In this position the springs 28 and 29 are compressed, and the iiange 32 on the nut 3I engages the abutment 35 on the annular rib 36. The key 31 is also shown in Figure 3, and this key is mounted on the housing 23 and slidably engages a notch 38 provided in the ange 32 of the nut 3I. The interengagement of the parts 3I and 38 permits axial sliding movement between the parts 23 and 3I but prevents relative turning movement therebetween.

The lower end of the stern 3U is provided with an enlarged head 33 having'an upwardly facing shoulder 4U. A thrust bearing assembly I is mounted on this shoulder d0 and a sleeve member 42 rests on this thrust bearing assembly. The sleeve member t2 is connected to the load carrying member I4 by means of threads t3. The sleeve I2 is provided with a tubular extension 44 which encircles a portion of the stem 33. The upper portion of the extension 44 is bored at 45 to provide a relatively close running fit with the stem 3U. The remainder of the extension 44 and sleeve 42 is counterbored as shown at 46 to provide clearance. The outer cylindrical surface 41 of the sleeve extension 44 has a relatively close running t within the bore 48 of the housing flange 25. From this description it will be understood that the sleeve 42 and its extension 44 reciprocate vertically with the nonrotary stem 3B but are fixed with relation to the load carrying member I4 and turn as aI unit therewith.

The bore 48 and cylindrical surface 41 cooperate to guide the sleeve extension 44 with respect to the housing 23 and thus prevent universal swiveling movement of the load carrying member I4 with respect to the stem 30. rIhe thrust bearing assembly 4I is designed to carry axial thrust and not to accommodate universal pivoting: movement between the members which it con nects. The cooperation between the sleeve` eX- tension 44 and the bore 48 stiffens the assembly so that universal swinging or pivoting movement ofthe load carrying member I4 is effectively prevented.

Releasable lock. means are provided for locking the load carrying member I4 against rotation and for locking it in various positions with respect to the housing 23. As shown in the drawings, this means includes a series of lugs 49 formed integrally on. the underside of the stem head 39. The recesses. 50 defined between adjacent lugs 49 are shaped to receive thel central portion of the locking lever 5I which is pivoted on the transverse pin. 52.. The locking lever 5I is positioned in acavity 53 formed within the loadA carrying member I4. An arm 54 on the lever 5Iy is engaged by a tension spring 55 also positioned within the recess 53'. The tension spring also engages a latching.. lever 56 which. is` pivotally mountedV on transverse.. pin 5.1.. The latching lever 55 has a projection 58'` which engages a lug 59 formed on the locking lever 5I. The coil spring 55 acts to hold the partsA 58 and 59y in engagement so that the lockingl lever 5I is held in inoperative position as. shown in Figure '1. When the latching lever 55' is turned countercloclnvise as viewed in Figures 6 and 7, the interengaging parts 58 and 59' areseparated so that the spring 55 moves thev locking lever 5I in a clockwise direction.

The locking lever 5I enters one of the recesses 58 between the lugs 49 when. the. relative angl-1 lar position of the load. carrying member I4- and load supporting stem 3U brings.- one of the recesses 50 into a position of alignment withthe. locking lever 5I. This. operative position of the parts is: shown in Figure 6l.` The projection 58 rides against the surface 63 on the lugl 59 to prevent the latching` lever 56. from turning. clockwise.

Actuating knobs 50 and 8| are provided on. the` levers 5I and 55 respectively, andthese4` project outward through an entrance slot 52 leading into the cavity 53. These knobs 611 and 6I maybe actuated manually or by means of ailongzhandled tool (not shown).

When the locking` lever 5I is in theY inoperative position shown in Figure 7, the. load carrying.

member I4 is free to turn relative to the stem 30' and housing 23. This permits the member I4 to.-

turn while lowering drill pipe or casing into the hole by means of they elevator I9` and links. 28 and thus avoid any possibility of unscrewing of the piping coupling threadsduring this operation. It

also enables the member I4' to turn when an upper length of pipe is being turned to threadedly connect it to the sectional drill string. During the drilling operation whenthe swivel I5 is: supportedv from the hook I5` as. shown in. Figure 1, the load latch 662 pivoted to the bill at 61.

carrying member I4 must be restrained from rotation, and it is for this purpose that the locking mechanism shown in Figures 6 and '1 is employed.

The springs 28 and 29 are chosen so that they exert suicient force to lift a stand of drill pipe by means of the elevator I9. However, the springs arel compressed by heavier loads so that the nut 3l rests on thev abutment 35.

The load carrying member I4 of the drilling hook assembly includes the central hook I5 and the laterally projecting side lugs I8. The hook I5 is provided with a bill 64 which is pivoted to the hook I5by means of the pin 55. The upper swinging end.' of the bill 64 is provided with a The latch 66 has a projection 68 which engages an abutment 69 on the member I4 to prevent the bill from swinging open. A spring urged plunger 10 on the bill 64 holds the latch in operative position. When the latch 61 is turned clockwise as viewed in. Figure 2 against the actionof the spring urged plunger 10, the projection 68` swings to aretracted position. so that. the bill 54 may pivot clockwise about the pin 65. Stop lugs15 and 'I8V limit the extent of opening movement of the bill 64. The cam-surface 1I on-the latch 56 engages themem ber I4 when the bill S4 is swung counterclockwise toward closedposition so that the latch 66 isau tomatically retracted. p

A. finger 12V is formed. integrally with` the. bill 64,. and. this finger projects into ar recess 13 formed in the hook` I5. When the4 swivelV bail I1 enters the. load carrying notch 14 of the hook I5 it. rests initially on. this finger 12 and, there by automatically moves the. bill 64 to closed` position.

The side lugs I8. are. each provided with a load carrying notch 11 for. supporting the elevator links '20. Keeper bars 18 are bolted to the lugs I8 and' to. the projections 19 to hold the elevator links. 20 in position against displacement.. When the swivel I'6- is suspended from the hook I5A the. elevator links 20` assume the inoperative position shown in Figure 1 and normally rest against the bumper on the swivel' I6.

The housing. 23 may be provided. withA a suitableV cover plate 8'I secured in place by bolts. 81. This cover plate may be notched at 82 tol provide clearance for' the heads of. the bolts 83` which serve to hold the locking bar 84 in position on the stem 30 and nut 32. This. locking bar is receive'd. in a. transverse groove 85 formed in the upper end" of'the' stem 3D' and in the nut 3| and serves to prevent turning movement of. the nut 3I on' the' stem 30'along the threads 86.

The upper end o'f'the housing'2'3 igiiaredoutwardlyat diametric'ally spaced locations to. formy load carrying lugs 88. The horizontal bolt. elements I3 y extend through these lugs 88. and through the lower portions of the side plates 89. of the travelling' block assembly I2 to form aV rigid connection between the travelling block and hook assemblies.

A pintle 5U extends horizontally between. the side plates 89 and rotatably supports the cable sheavesV 9I by' means of suitable bearing. assemblies. A nut 92 is threaded to one end ofv the pintle 90 for holding the pintle in position on the side plates 89. This nut. may be provided with a series of recesses 93. on its periphery and the projection. 94 on. a lug 95` enters one of these recesses to secure the nut 92 against turning movement. A bolt- 96- secures the lug' 95 toone of the side` plates 89. Thef usual slots 921 are. provided in the curved face plates 98 and the.

aus!

5. cabler extends through the slots and is reeved around the sheaves 9| in the usual manner.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

'1. Apparatus of the class described comprising in combination: a nonrotary housing, an axially movable stern telescopically received in said housing, spring means in the housing for supporting the stem, means preventing relative turning movement between the stem and the housing, a head on the lower end of the stem, a thrust bearing assembly mounted on said head, a load carrying member, a sleeve member connected to the load carrying member and supported on the thrust bearing assembly, the sleeve member having a tubular extension encircling a portion of the stem, and the housing having an axial bore slidably receiving said tubular extension.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising in combination: a nonrotary housing, an axially movable stem telescopically received in said housing, a nut threaded upon the upper end of the stem, spring means in the housing engaging the nut for supporting the stem, cooperating parts on the nut and housing for preventing relative turning movement of the housing and stem, a head on the lower end of the stem, a thrust bearing assembly mounted on said head, a load carrying member, a sleeve member connected to the load carrying member and supported on the thrust bearing assembly, the sleeve member having a tubular extension encirclmg a portion of the stem, and the housing having an axial bore slidably receiving said tubular extension.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising in combination: a nonrotary housing having an end flange, an axially movable stem telescopically received in said housing, spring means in the housing resting on the end iiange for supporting the stem, means preventing relative turning movement between the stem and the housing, a head on the lower end of the stem, a thrust bearing assembly mounted on said head, a load carrying member, a sleeve member connected to the load carrying member and supported on the thrust bearing assembly, the sleeve member having a tubular extension encircling a portion of the stem, and the housing end flange having an axial bore slidably receiving said tubular extension.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising in combination: a nonrotary housing having an end iiange, an axially movable stem telescopically received in said housing, a nut threaded upon the upper end of the stem, spring means in the housing resting on the end flange and engaging the nut for supporting the stem, cooperating parts on the nut and housing for preventing relative turning movement of the housing and stem, a head on the lower end of the stem, a thrust bearing assembly mounted on said head, a load carrying member, a sleeve member threaded to the load carrying member and supported on the thrust bearing assembly, the sleeve member having a tubular extension encircling a portion of the stem, and the housing end flange having an axial bore slidably receiving said tubular extension.

5. Apparatus of the class described comprising in combination: a housing, an axially movable stem supported in said housing, a head on the lower end of the stem, the head having a lower face, a load carrying member rotatably supported on said head, lock means for securing the load carrying member against rotation relative to the head, said lock means including a pivoted locking lever carried on the load carrying member, the conguration of the lower face of the head being such as to provide a locking position for engagement with said lever, latch means including a spring to hold the lever out of engagement with the head, the spring being adapted to resiliently urge the locking lever into locking engagement upon release of the latch means. Y l

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising in combination: a housing, an axially movable stem supported in said housing, a head on the lower end of the stem, the head having a lower face provided with a plurality of lock elements, a load carrying member rotatably supported on said head, lock means for securing the load carrying member against rotation relative to the head, said lock means including a pivoted locking lever carried on the load carrying member and engageable with said lock elements, latch means including a spring to hold the lever out of engagement with the lock elements, the spring being adapted to resiliently urge the locking lever into locking engagement upon release of the latch means.

T. Apparatus of the class described comprising in combination: a nonrotary housing, an axially movable stem telescopically received in said housing, spring means in the housing for supporting the stem, a head on lthe lower end of the stem, the head having a lower face, a load carrying member rotatably supported on said head, lock means for securing the load carrying member against rotation relative to the head, said lock means including a pivoted locking lever carried on the load carrying member, the configuration of the lower face of the head being such as Ito provide a locking position for engagement with said lever, latch means including a spring to hold the lever out of engagement with the head, the spring being adapted to resiliently urge the locking lever into locking engagement upon release ofthe latch means.

8. Apparatus oi the class described comprising in combination: a housing, an axially movable stem supported in said housing, a head on the lower end of the stem, the head having a lower face, a load carrying member rotatably supported on said head and provided with a cavity, lock means in said cavity for securing the load carrying member against rotation relative to the head, said lock means including a pivoted locking lever carried on the load carrying member, the configuration of the lower face of the head being such as to provide a locking position for engagement with said lever, a portion of the lever being' accessible exteriorly of the cavity for actuation of the lever, latch means including a spring to hold the lever out of engagement with the head, the spring being adapted to resiliently urge the locking lever into locking engagement upon release of the lat-ch means.

9. Apparatus of the class described comprising in combination: a housing, an axially movable stem in said housing, a head on the lower end 0f the stem, the head having a lower face provided with a series of locking lugs, a load carrying member rotatably supported on said head, the load carrying member having a cavity and an entrance 7 slot' leading to the cavity, a pivote'd locking Ie'ver in the'v cavity carried on` the loadl carrying mez'n-V bei" engageable with saidv lugs,V latch means ncluding a pvotedrlatchng. leverv and a sping' in the cavity' td holdthe locking lever' out of engagement with said lugs, the spring' being4 adp'tedi'c' resllie'ntly urge the locking lever' into' ldekingengagementu'porirelease of the latching lever',- :aiv portion of each ofv the le'vers extending' into the entrance slot', for .ccessibililtyA exterorly of the 10a-'d carrying: member.

SPENCER;V W. LONG.

'Referecs' Cited in the le Of thispabent Number 10 Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Nuinben N'ame Date A 360,989 1136121361651v 1 Apr. 12, 1887 Name Dadiel Macdonald A f Jan. 21, 1902 Spalding 1 Oct. 2U, 1936 Grayuret al. Mal, 1939 Hertel et;V al. f May 9`, 1.9540 Bennett July' 4, 19.50' Christensen Jun12',1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain July 22, 1926 

